Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Some days you’re the windshield, some days you’re the fly.

If you’re still cruising job boards as your primary source of work, you’re the fly meeting the windshield. With rare exception, job postings work out in favor of the poster, not the writer. And if I’ve not preached enough on the subject, job postings give control of your business to a stranger, who is dictating your rate, your hours, your relationship as a subordinate. That’s not the place any business owner should be.

In what is a prime example of all of your business-owner status swirling the drain, this job posting, sent to me via Jenn Mattern, highlights everything that’s wrong with writers using job boards to build a business. Because you’re not. You’re building low expectations. And you’re accepting terms that are not in your best interest.

Before I get too high up on the soapbox, let’s parse through this job posting.

Hi there! I’m looking for a Rockstar Email Marketing Freelance Writer to create engaging emails (updates, campaigns, promotions, newsletters, press releases, etc.) on a consistent, long-term basis for my personal development company. The ideal candidate will have strong creative writing skills, graphic design abilities, an eye for detail, and an in-depth understanding of effective email marketing strategies. Experience using the email marketing platform, Constant Contact, is strongly preferred.

This is a very part-time role and it is ideal for a candidate who is looking for a stable, long-term “side gig”, NOT a full-time position. Candidate must be willing to provide at least 3 valid references.

Compensation is $150 per month. No agencies, please.

*****The ideal candidate will be local to (area mentioned), but I am open to interviewing candidates outside of (the area), but still in the US, who have the appropriate skill set.

The responsibilities and deliverables pertaining to this role include:

• Developing a monthly email marketing content calendar to include two (2) emails per week and one (1) newsletter per month
• Designing and writing two (2) emails per week to be set up and sent via Constant Contact
• Creating a monthly newsletter to be set up and sent via Constant Contact
• Proofreading emails for clarity, grammar, and spelling, and ensuring messages are mobile-friendly and delivered properly to prospects
• Submitting a weekly written summary report of emails sent and information regarding bounce backs and/or unopened emails
• Short update calls every two weeks to review progress, analytics, and any pending items

If this sounds like a project that is of interest to you, don’t hesitate to contact me! Looking forward to connecting with you! Thank you!

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Salary: $100.00 to $200.00 /month

Experience:

• Email Marketing: 2 years (Preferred)

• Constant Contact: 1 year (Preferred)

• Graphic Design: 2 years (Preferred)

• Creative Writing: 2 years (Preferred)

Ready?

Hi there!

I would eliminate them on their use of an exclamation point alone, but the “hi there” in a job posting is a red flag. Anyone from a company that’s been around a while wouldn’t use that kind of greeting in a job listing. Inexperience is showing.

I’m looking for a Rockstar Email Marketing Freelance Writer

Why does that bug me so much? It’s the string of keywords maybe? Or the recent overuse of the word “Rockstar” to flatter writers into reading further? Not sure, but I’m not impressed.

Compensation is $150 per month.

There should be a rule that all job postings should start with the fee. It would keep us from wasting our time reading through what, in this case, is a litany of must-have duties and abilities, which include:

Create engaging emails (updates, campaigns, promotions, newsletters, press releases, etc.)
Candidate must be willing to provide at least 3 valid references.
Developing a monthly email marketing content calendar to include two (2) emails per week and one (1) newsletter per month
Designing and writing two (2) emails per week to be set up and sent via Constant Contact
Creating a monthly newsletter to be set up and sent via Constant Contact
Proofreading emails for clarity, grammar, and spelling, and ensuring messages are mobile-friendly and delivered properly to prospects
Submitting a weekly written summary report of emails sent and information regarding bounce backs and/or unopened emails
Short update calls every two weeks to review progress, analytics, and any pending items

Along with it, you need this experience:

• Email Marketing: 2 years (Preferred)

• Constant Contact: 1 year (Preferred)

• Graphic Design: 2 years (Preferred)

• Creative Writing: 2 years (Preferred)

Oh, and in case there were greedy agencies out there pushing to get to the front of the line on this one:

No agencies, please.

Trust me. No agency would want this one. Nor should any writer.

Do me a favor — really look through that list of duties. Two emails a week, one newsletter a month, designing it all in Constant Contact, and don’t forget the summary reports and the phone call.

For $150 a month. Not an hour, not even a week. A month.

I don’t have to explain why this job offer bothers me so much. It’s obvious someone wants way too much for way too little. But what bothers me in general about job postings as a main source of potential work —

Writers get used to seeing shitty wages to the point where these offers become the decent ones.

—

Because we’re more proactive than that, we’ll be looking elsewhere, thank you. Here’s an example of what you can find on your own without a job board or anyone telling you how to run your business:

BOYS’ LIFE

General-interest, four-color monthly published by the Boy Scouts of America.

Needs: Nonfiction article from 500-1,500 words; department articles up to 600 words. Subjects are broad: “We cover everything from professional sports to American history to how to pack a canoe.”

Pays: $1/ word.

Damn. Just look at how your payday just improved. And all I did was a simple search that anyone can conduct. Took me a whopping 3 minutes to find it, too.

Which payday would you rather have?

Writers, have you had the experience of using job boards to start or build a business?
What was your experience?
In percentages, how many job postings were worth the effort of applying?